What's New

I've been neglecting ye olde blog. But life goes on, and it's already October 14th and a balmy 79 degrees Fahrenheit here in Buffalo. Though I know it's a swan song, I can't help but relish every second of it....

So what's new? School. Finally getting the groove of new routines. The youngest has teeth and can almost stand unaided (if you don't count holding onto things with his teeth. I kid.).  I've been running in preparation for a 5K that takes place in a few weeks. 

Completely random graphic, because every post needs a pic, and this is, after all, a style blog. Also, for some reason this strikes me as singularly hilarious.

I'm trying to figure out where my time has disappeared to over the last month (besides driving back and forth to two different schools multiple times daily). Hmm, what else... Spray painting stuff - picture frames, an old lamp and lampshade. Reading books. Watching movies. 

Opening this online shop, which was a bit more work than I thought it would be. If you haven't visited it yet, please do! It's mostly very gently used baby and children's items, but I'm going to start adding some things for the home. In lieu of a grand opening sale (because the prices are already so, so low), I'm going to donate all of October's profits to this charity (an awesome program I've seen working firsthand), so let's kick this off right! You can get to the shop by the link in this paragraph, or by clicking on the Be Cool icon on the right sidebar. If you aren't in the market for what I'm selling, please share the link with friends who might be. Thank you for your support.

Don't worry (cuz I'm sure you were), I will also continue blogging. I've got some posts in the pipeline.... a new installment in the How to Look Expensive series, wall art on the cheap, the best foreign movies currently on Netflix, the secret to throwing together an amazing salad fast, clutter free decorating, and more. Stay tuned! 

Calling All Moms

Happy Monday, all! I was going to do a Weekend Diaries today, but then I thought maybe I'd take things a different direction (sorry, Mom). Let's take a little poll. First question:

How do you shop for children's clothing? The mall? Online? Consignment shops? Thrift Stores?

When I only had one and then two kids I did lots of shopping at thrift stores. Then things got hairy, trying to make rational decisions with all the whining and grabbing and running that accompanied the kids getting bigger (and greater in number) and sprouting personalities. So we started going the consignment shop route more and more - things tended to be a bit pricier, but also more concentrated and organized in terms of sizes and quality. 

One recent trip to a local shop yielded about fifteen pieces that we really liked, but thank goodness it was "half-off" day - the total before discount was $150! This experience, along with a recent revival of my thrifting adventures (the start of the school year has allowed me to venture forth with a mere two children) got me thinking. What if there was an option that fell somewhere between the two extremes? Could there be a way to access good quality, clean, used items easily and on a budget?

Now second question: How do you feel about "shop my closet" profiles and/or hashtags on Instagram? For those unfamiliar with the practice, more and more bloggers have either set up a separate profile, or use the hashtag "shop my closet", to sell their gently used items to other Instagram users. I've always liked looking, but I find that I don't like to purchase things that I can't try on first. 

But then - light bulb - I rarely ever have my kids try on clothes (can you say "torture"?) when I shop for them. And an idea began to form... Maybe I could put my love of thrifting to good use, and start a little virtual shop to pass on the good finds that don't fit my babes.

So short story long, I'm asking if you other mothers would be interested in said shop. A curated space of gently used baby and kid's clothing, ranging in price from a couple bucks to $15 (for things like quality outerwear). All transactions would be first come first serve (not auction style a la ebay... ain't nobody got time for that), and conducted via PayPal.

So hit me. Tell me your thoughts, o wise mamas. 

Five Favorites

Today I'm stepping in for Heather and guest hosting Five Favorites. And my good friend Laura is stepping in for me with this guest post. If you've never visited her blog, get thyself over to This Felicitous Life. She covers topics profound and mundane, and it's always a great read. I promise.

So, without further ado, here's Laura.

Non-Conventional Book Club Picks

“Why have you put ‘Wine for Her?’” she asked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that these are wines that women are more likely to enjoy,” said Bruce. . . .

“And why do you think women would want different wine from men? Do they have different taste buds?”

“Yes,” he said. “Women like sweeter wine. And they like bottles with more feminine labels. Everybody knows that.”

--Alexander McCall Smith, Espresso Tales

via

Books with "discussion questions" at the end strike me as the literary equivalent of a "Wines for Her" shelf. I feel condescended upon, stereotyped: Woman In A Book Club = chick who probably can't finish the book, much analyze it herself, and just shows up for the wine. Grrr.

That's not to say there aren't plenty of good books that have discussion questions at the end. Still, it's a strike against them to me.

In that spirit, here are five non-conventional book club picks that my book club and I have enjoyed over the years.

The Children of Men by P.D. James: Apocalyptic thriller, a real page turner. Chilling, yet completely non-religious, vision of a world that stops having children. Don't judge the book by the movie based on it, which is very different.

The Book of Judith (in the Catholic Bible): Many Bible verses used in honor of the Blessed Virgin are taken from this book. What you might not guess is that Judith was one badass chick, who uses questionable tactics to defend her people. This book raises some puzzling moral questions that are fascinating to discuss.

Blood Brothers: The Dramatic Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace In Israel by Elias Chacour: A short, autobiographical account of a Melkite Catholic Archbishop, whose community was uprooted from their homeland when he was a child, during the founding of Israel. He weaves his story in with reflections on the Beatitudes and his own quest for peace between Jews and Palestinians.

The Next Step In the Dance by Tim Gautreaux: This book has lots of conventional chick-lit ingredients- -a good-hearted, hard-headed woman and the man who loves her. But it's a beautifully written, clear- eyed look at marriage (my previous review is here), in the Southern literary tradition, with some tall- tale elements thrown in. Delicious.

Emotional Vampires: Dealing With People Who Drain You Dry by Albert Bernstein: This is psychology/ self-help in a funny, helpful format. This should be required reading for everyone entering the workforce, but if you didn't read it then, read it in your book club!

Happy reading!

Thanks for joining us for Five Favorites again this week! Let's hear some of your favorites!

There's A Chill in the Air

Or maybe it's just germs.

I read online somewhere that cold and flu season lasts from May to October. By that tally, we should be nearing the end of it. 

But. 

We were fairly healthy from May until the first week of September (also known around here as the first week of school). Since then its been running noses, sore throats, coughing, aching bodies, respiratory infections, and - I shudder to even type the words - gastrointestinal distress.

These past few weeks have given me a lot of opportunity to ponder what I want around when my brood and I aren't feeling well. It can be hard to call to mind the goods when feeling chipper; so here's a list I've put together of "necessaries" in case you have a friend who's ill.

The Sick Call Goody Basket

Ibprophen (Adult or Children's)

Emergen-C's (or their poor cousin "Essence C," hehe. Click here for a free sample of the real stuff.)

Vicks VapoRub (apply to the chest or to the bottoms of the feet for young ones)

Epsom Salts (to soak that achy body)

Throat Lozenges (we like these, but they're not for the faint of heart)

Popsicles

Ginger Ale

Smart Water with Electrolytes (Is this a gimmick? Possibly, but some I know swear it makes a difference.)

Soup

Crackers

An Easy Paper Back (bring on the fluff)

Of course, this list is not exhaustive, and it depends on the invalid (s) involved, but it's something to get you started. What would you add?

Five Favorites: Fall Style Concepts

This week I'm pleased to be guest hosting Five Favorites!

For those of you who are new to my little corner of the web... Welcome! The About Me blurb over on the right pretty much covers the basics of what I've got going on here.

And also, Mama Knows is my sister-in-law, which is much (much) less Oedipal than it sounds.

My Five Favorite posts tend to be a bit theme-y, because I like a good theme. Today I want to talk about five style concepts that I'm really digging as the season starts to change. And by change I'm not referring to our recent foray into perdition like heat (I know, I know, hyperbole and all that, living in Buffalo has made me a heat sissy), but the as yet theoretical crisp days of fall.

tank // blue jeans // shoes // turtleneck // skinny jeans // birks // blouse // black jeans // loafers // hat // hat // hat

Blue on Blue on Navy: It's no secret that navy blue is everywhere right now. I love mixing it with other shades of blue for a monochromatic look that's a little more unexpected.

White and Black: Again, black and white = everywhere. And this is one of those combinations that never really goes away, it just takes on different permutations. During the summer months, the ratio was weighted on the side of the white. Now I'm feeling heavy on the black with just a shot of white.

And following from the previous favorite - Black Jeans. I love black skinny and straight jeans. For some reason, I've never really been able to jump on the legging train. Yet, I do like to have a slim fitting and flattering bottom option beyond regular blue jeans. And black denim can be really pulled together, edgy, or casual, depending on how it is styled.

Chunky Knits: What says fall like chunky knits? Who doesn't like to be wrapped in the warm embrace of something soft and non constricting? To balance out the big, I prefer a slimmer silhouette on the bottom. Since I'm not much for leggings, I usually go for a pair of skinnies.

Hats: So I haven't been much of a hat girl in the past, except for those winter days when they are absolutely essential, and then only a hardcore stocking cap (aka tuque). But last fall I saw Anna rocking this look, and it got me thinking. I really want to get my hands on a ball cap in black and grey, maybe something with wool and a little [most likely faux] leather.

It's Hot But I'm Still Hungry

And my garden has 100 ripe tomatoes. 

Or so it seems.

I want to share with you this super easy and quick recipe. It's my simple version of pasta caprese.

Easy Pasta Caprese

Ingredients:

Two or Three Large Tomatoes

Generous Handful of Basil

3/4 - 1 lb. Pasta (prepared and at room temperature; I prefer the "bite size" shapes to spaghetti or fettucini, but anything works)

8 oz Mozzarella Ball

Juice of 1 Lemon

Olive Oil 

Salt and Pepper

As you can see, the ingredient list is simple, and the amounts flexible. It's really whatever your taste dictates.

Wash the basil leaves by placing them in a bowl of water and swishing around. Pull them out and if there is sediment in the water, replace the water and repeat. Do this until there is no more dirt in the water (this method is really the most thorough for anything leafy - lettuce, parsley, mint, etc, etc... nothing spoils a meal like a mouthful of grit). Place leaves on a towel to dry.

Roughly chop the tomatoes and mozzarella into bite size pieces. Throw them into a large bowl. Gently rip the basil with your fingers and throw into the same bowl. Add the lemon juice and about 1/3 cup of olive oil. Mix.

Add in the prepared pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with bread for getting those tasty juices at the bottom of the bowl.

And an ice cold hard cider or a glass of chilled, dry white wine and you have the perfect dinner to beat the heat! Enjoy!

Tiny

Recently I watched a documentary called Tiny: A Story About Living Small (available on Netflix Instant View, ITunes, and Amazon). Merete Mueller (one of the individuals in the film and it's co-director) sums it up on IMDB like this:

What is home? And how do we find it? TINY follows one couple's attempt to build a Tiny House from scratch with no building experience, and profiles other families who have downsized their lives into houses smaller than the average parking space. Through homes stripped down to their essentials, the film raises questions about sustainability, good design, and the changing American Dream.

Sounds interesting, right? Well, it was. I recommend this movie to anyone who is feeling cramped in their current quarters. I can almost guarantee that you will feel like you live in a veritable mansion after 66 minutes of viewing houses 300 square feet and smaller (often much smaller). It will probably also give you the urge to purge, a desire to run madly through the house, filling a large receptacle destined for Goodwill as you go. And long after that fervor passes, it will leave you with much food for thought.

via

While the synopsis says "couple," the tiny house highlighted in the documentary is primarily the brainchild of Christopher Smith. Though his girlfriend, Merete, grows more and more attached to the project, her future relationship with the tiny house (and Christopher) remains ambiguous at the end of the film. So there's the first thing about tiny houses: they're tiny. So small that one wonders if that, by necessity, they are isolating. Are they big enough to hold even two lives, two wills, two egos?

Yet, despite my doubts, some do it. In addition to Christopher and Merete, the film also introduces other individuals and couples who live in tiny houses. In their interviews, some of the tiny householders focus on the amount of time and money that is saved over a traditional home. Some mention the peace that one finds in simplifying one's life, the freedom of not being forced to work constantly to buy goods that are unnecessary. Some even mention the newfound ability to focus on relationships rather than things.

As a minimalist myself, I found myself nodding along in agreement. Yes. Yes! That rat race. I want out of that rat race. I don't want my junk. I want relationship. I want intimacy. I want freedom. Freedom.

Even though each person spoke about the topic differently, it all came down to this one thing: freedom.  I do want freedom, and a freedom not just from things, but for things. Good things. But that's where I have to part ways with the movement (and yes, it is a growing movement). My good things involve a spouse, and unfortunately, he's not as much of a minimalist as I am (though I don't think it's so unfortunate when one of his "random" purchases turns out to be just what I need).

And we like children. Our first one. Our second one. Our third one. Even our fourth one. And even other ones. More ones. Future ones, so to speak. And that may not be tiny, but it sure is good.

9-10 August

WEEKEND DIARIES

This summer has been a really cool one. The nights have often dipped into the fifties, and many days have just barely hit 80 degrees. Humidity has been low, the sun and breeze abundant. This summer has been perfect. 

I expect I might feel differently if I spent the year looking forward to long days at the beach,  Corona in hand, reading fluffy novels and relaxing. If my house had central air conditioning. If I didn't travel in a party of four dependents and a double stroller (I love my double, but after flying adult solo to almost every soccer practice and game this summer, I am so tired of loading it in and out of the van...). And I love wearing shorts with long sleeve tops sans sweat. If this is summer, it can go on forever.

But the season is beginning to change. The insects sound different, more insistent. Fallen maple leaves have scattered themselves across the driveway, summer green giving way to tinges of red and yellow. A hint of sadness is in the air, a hint that gains strength when the clouds momentarily drift between sun and earth, or when the air grows still just before dusk.

I was contemplating these things on Saturday, when we came across a bunch of children's Christmas books on sale at the local library. At 25 cents a pop, I snapped up twelve of them. The plan is to put them away until December, and then incorporate them into our Christmas preparations. 

In some strange way, finding those books gave a counterpoint to the melancholy of summer's waning. Thoughts of white twinkling lights, the subtle scent of evergreen, bright warmth against the cold, strong spicy beer, the ever new joy of Emmanuel.  And suddenly that gnaw of imminent decay had lost its bite. 

Have a great week, everyone!

Summer Legs and Keeping Up Appearances

I bet you were thinking that this was a post about leg lifts, squats, and lunges. 

Nope. 

It's about skin. Leg skin and feet skin, to be exact. Let me let you in on a secret: highly groomed women discomfit me. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that I discomfit me in the presence of such women. I mean, I'm sure that the objective for said women's attention to personal grooming has nothing to do with me and my comfort. But I digress. 

I'm not particularly scruffy, it's just that being well groomed is a never ending battle. My feet look awesome today - smooth, nails painted. And next week.... Ugh, chipped polish. A little rough around the heels. And let's not even talk about shaving (at least not yet). In my mind, having a good hair / outfit / makeup / smooth legs / attractive feet type of presentation is the equivalent of the man at the circus who spins all the plates at the same time. And damn, parenting toddlers and infants is already like herding cats. The complexity of these mixed metaphors is itself an accurate portrayal of the reality, I think. 

And despite the pink background on this blog, I am not a "girly girl."  I would rather drink a cocktail and read a book in the bathtub than exfoliate, depilate, or any other -ate. Unless it is just plain eating, and if that's the case, then I'll take my calories in liquid form, as per above.

I know what you're thinking, "Mary, this is not a gender issue. You are just lazy." Yes, yes, I am that, too, and I admit it. 

So I ask:

What's a busy, slightly lazy girl to do?!

Well, I've discovered a few inexpensive and relatively quick, easy ways to keep up appearances.

Skip the lotion and go straight for the body cream. Lotion and body cream are both composed of water and oil; their difference lies in the proportion of each. Body cream has a higher content of oil, and therefore is a more concentrated (read: effective and longer lasting) moisturizer.  Smooth some on your legs, arms, and feet after every shower when pores are still dilated from the warm water.

Use petroleum jelly (also known by the most common brand name Vaseline) on the roughest, driest spots. While body cream is an emollient (meaning it moisturizes and smoothes), petroleum jelly also effectively traps moisture within the skin and prevents it from evaporating.  Smooth it on elbows and knees. Spread liberally on rough feet, put on pair of socks, go to bed and awake the next day with significantly softer feet. A small tub of the stuff is around a dollar at the grocery store, so go wild.

Use a pumice stone every day for a few seconds in the shower, concentrating especially on the heels. It may take more time at first, especially if your feet are very dry and cracked, but once things are under control this is all it really takes for maintenance.  And don't spend much on a pumice stone; find them at the dollar store for a dollar (surprise!). Replace as necessary, when you start to notice decreased efficacy.

Use a scrub before shaving your legs (just rub, rinse, and then go ahead with your regular shaving cream). The salt or sugar grains exfoliate the skin and the oil in the scrub moisturizes it. The result is a closer shave and smoother, softer skin. You can easily make scrubs from in the kitchen ingredients (check out these recipes) or buy it pre-made. I recently won a scrub from this company in a giveaway (which it turns out, is owned and operated by a former college mate, small world!), and it is the best scrub I've ever tried. For real.

Keep a cocoa lotion bar handy for quick fixes. A lotion bar is a solid, concentrated, quick way to deliver moisture and protection to irritated skin. Rub the bar over the effected area and the warmth of your skin melts just the right amount of emollients onto the spot.  I think we have all had the experience of realizing at the last minute that our hands or knees or elbows or heels are super dry and/or ashy. I keep this lotion bar in my bag for just such moments.

2-3 August

WEEKEND DIARIES

Can you believe it's August already?!

What's new for you? 

We've been spending a lot of time outside. Playing at the playground. Soccer practices and games. Scootering at the river, and running. Yes, I've started running again, or more accurately, run-walking. It's hard to keep the pace consistent when I've got a babe and three little scootering fools in tow, but its still enjoyable. I don't keep track of pace, time, or distance. I just want to enjoy the exertion of it and the pleasure of the process rather than turning it into a competition (with myself).  

I used to be hardcore and crazy when it came to exercise; I've avoided "working out" for five years because I'm so wary of getting sucked back into unhealthy attitudes. Maybe it's a blessing that the kids force me to be flexible... You can't get too competitive when you are constantly stopping to pick up acorns and other "treasures" ("Mom, look at this chapstick I found." The chapstick that was actually a used tampon. Even in the cleanest park, a mom has always got to be on her toes!)

In addition to our fitness endeavors, we've been enjoying the flavors of the season - fresh cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines. Watching nature up close: a robin built a nest, laid her eggs, hatched her young, and raised them up to flying age all in a hanging basket on the porch. Life is truly amazing. 

Also, there have been some less fun activities, like trying to save the book collection that got too damp in the basement. Not wet, just damp. The process of removing the mildew from so many books is so overwhelming that I wept. Maybe more than once. I've realized that the collection of books that I love needs to be severely culled. There are just too many to thoroughly dry and de- mildew. Sigh.

Have a great week!

Look, me in florals. I do get out of the all black now and again. And I still look the same :)

Laura Recommends

Since today is Friday, I thought it would be appropriate to share this guest post from our good friend Laura. If spring is the time of love, then surely weekends are the time of movies. Said no poet ever. But you catch my drift.

I don’t know if it’s something to do with summertime or what, but these days all I want from a movie is a good laugh. I want to be entertained, I want to feel good, I want to be distracted from the stresses of everyday life. But I don’t find myself laughing if a movie is dumb or too slapsticky, or too too vulgar. So, if you feel like some lighthearted cinema, here are some suggestions spanning the last three decades:

1. Green Card

“In order to retain her beautiful rent-controlled Manhattan apartment, a beautiful, socially-conscious American woman (Andie MacDowell) has to be married, so she decides to marry a burly French composer (Gerard Depardieu), who is eager to earn a green card so he can stay and work in America.” 

Why don’t they make romantic comedies like this anymore? Maybe it’s just my massive girl crush on Andie MacDowell, but I found this a charming little story. (Also, early 1990s cinema is an interesting history-of-fashion lesson. Shapeless, ankle-length jumpers—did you know they actually were fashionable at one time?)

2. Girl Most Likely
One of many in the painful-reunion-of-dysfunctional-family-members genre, this one is much better than most of its peers. The film is guilty of some casting sins that are my pet peeves: the actress who plays the mom is only fifteen years older than the actress playing her daughter, and the same “mom” is only six years older than the “younger man” she is dating. Nevertheless, Kristen Wiig, Matt Dillon, and Annette Bening all are perfect in their roles, I think. The ending is goofy and implausible but hilarious and perfect and warmed my heart.

3. What to Expect When You’re Expecting
I wasn’t going to bother this one because it got horrible reviews. But then a very smart friend of mine recommended it, pointing out how it touched on huge life events she had been through—pregnancy, birth, infertility, adoption, miscarriage . . . . It’s all very lighthearted but still sensitive. It’s pretty goofy at times, but man, Chris Rock is so so funny (and, in this movie, you won’t have to wash your ears out with soap after watching him).


4. Mean Girls
This has become a quasi-classic but I only recently saw it. High school movies are kind of like sci fi to little, home-schooled me. Thrilling and terrifying and intriguing at the same time. All those cliques! Where would I have fit in? I like to think I would have been at least a band geek, but I’d probably be one of the Girls Who Eat Their Feelings. I’m making this sound depressing, but really, it’s funny and clever and ends on an upbeat note. Plus: Tina Fey wrote the screenplay, and co-starred along with Amy Poehler. What’s not to love?

5. Sixteen Candles
Speaking of high school flicks, can you belief this one came out thirty years ago? Thirty years??!! Was I the last one on earth to watch this? If not, I recommend it. It is filled with teenagers obsessing about sex. Still, there’s something innocent about it compared to more recent high-school themed movies (for instance, Easy A and Brick). It’s a fun blast from the past with a classic, oft-imitated romantic ending with Hollywood’s most perfect hunk.

6. It’s Complicated
Meryl Streep is so classy and wonderful and funny, playing a woman who finds herself in an affair with the loser she divorced long ago. Alec Baldwin is . . . well, his character brings several words to the tip of my tongue but I shan’t write them on Mary’s classy blog. Anyway, he plays a guy you love to hate. It made me gasp and cringe but mostly it made me laugh.

And with that, I wish you many laugh-filled evenings!

Laura is a Catholic Christian, a mother, a part-time lawyer, and a recovering overthinker. She writes monthly here at Atelier on books and culture, and blogs regularly at This Felicitous Life.

Kids Outdoor Eating Area Reveal

Reveal is such a dramatic word... Today I want to give you a peek at the kid friendly outdoor eating area that I have been working on. Once the weather permits, the kids and I eat outside a lot. A lot. And we spend a great deal of time in the backyard in general. Warm weather is fleeting in Buffalo, so we really try to make the most of it.

Most of our outdoor furniture is of the hand me down variety:  a collection of [those ubiquitous] plastic chairs, in dingy white, two glass topped tables, one in brown metal, the other a dark green, and two metal chairs, also dark green, with tan and green cushions. Each piece is sturdy, it just not that appealing to look at.

Some of the furniture on a drop cloth in the driveway awaiting painting. I should have gotten a better "before."

I wanted to use what a had and not a lot of $$ to create a functional space for the kids. I wanted something that is attractive, durable, and easy to keep clean, with extra emphasis on easy to keep clean. Kids are messy, and I'm tired of being frustrated over dirty cushions. 

You might remember that I took a can of Krylon Fusion paint to a couple of chairs and a little metal table last year (here). I was pleased with the result, so I decided to attack the rest of the furniture this year. The Krylon wasn't on sale (like last time), so I went with what was - this Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover (Paint + Primer). And it turns out that I like it better than the Krylon Fusion. It has a nice glossy finish, and it does give really nice coverage (though I don't know if its exactly the 1 = 2 can coverage that is promised on the packaging). And another plus? The only prep needed is a quick wash with soapy water, and a bit of air drying.

I used "Seaside" and "Real Orange" on the chairs, and "White" on the table. 

The centerpiece is a mint plant potted in a plastic receptacle (intended to be a small waste can) from the dollar store. I punched holes in the bottom for drainage. The kids planted fast sprouting arugula seeds in the caps from the paint cans, which we'll soon transplant to the garden. And all four objects are gathered together on a thrifted metal tray, which allows for easy removal in the event we need more space. Everything on the table is edible and non-shatterable (a word?).

The bright colors go nicely with the kids' plastic Ikea dinnerware. Add some thrifted clothe napkins and mismatched silverware (the 18/10 stays in the house!), and it's a kid friendly place to eat!

When the meal is done, we just hose the table and chairs down.

Not only do the kids eat here, they also color, paint, use play-do, read books, and do puzzles. So again, spray paint for the win!

And a final note... I couldn't have done this project if my good sis Liz wasn't there to help with the kiddos. Thank you, Liz! Also, you may have noticed that not all of the furniture is accounted for. More to come!

De Pomiane in Ten Minutes

Today I'm linking up with Jessica for What We're Reading Wednesday. The book? French Cooking in Ten Minutes: Adapting to the Rhythm of Modern Life by Edouard de Pomiane.

I love this little book, and I think that I would get along swimmingly with the author, were he still alive (sadly, he passed away over fifty years ago).  De Pomiane's writing style is conversational, yet clear, witty, yet kind. You feel he has faith in your taste and abilities, no matter how inexperienced you may be. While de Pomiane's background as a doctor and scientist is apparent in his methodical approach and his faith in process, he refuses to reduce cookery and consumption to cookery and consumption.




And that brings me to my favorite thing about this book. It's really about more than French cooking, and you can profit from it even if you never prepare a single recipe from it's pages. It's a reminder: that meals are for nourishment and delight, that anyone can cook, that life is beautiful. Let me share with you one of my favorite passages, where the author describes what one ought to do following the stress free, quick, and delicious meal one has just prepared and consumed:

Fill your cup with the hot coffee... Lean back in your armchair and put your feet up. Light a cigarette. Take a nice long puff, then blow the smoke to the ceiling. Enjoy the coffee's aroma, take a long sip. Close your eyes. Think about that second puff, that second sip - you're rich!

And if that is all a little too esoteric for you, here are a few concepts that make this book a practical gem.

Courses: At the time of publication (1930, but maybe still?), French habit was to compose each meal with four or five small courses. While I personally love meals that have courses, I don't serve them at my house. In my mind, courses equal waitstaff and chefs. De Pomiane outlines how the cook pressed for time can plan, prepare, and serve just such a meal with a minimum of difficulty.

Cooking Methods: De Pomiane outlines the basics. He lists three cooking methods that can be accomplished quickly, and explains a bit about what is happening and why. He gives the reader an understanding, rather than just a process. And this is his modus operandi throughout the book. I think most of us have had a sauce turn out lumpy or an egg curdle and turned to takeout none the wiser for our failure. None of that with the good monsieur. If you fail, there is a reason, and he does his best to make sure that you understand why.

The Master Recipe: I recommend reading the book from Introduction to finish, all the way through. De Pomiane doesn't designate it as such, but he often starts each section with a master recipe that can be used, built upon, or modified. The cook is an artist and masterpieces start with basics. I love this concept, because it gives the novice cook an invaluable starting point rather than a deluge of recipes that can't be remembered.

So there, I think you will love this book even if you don't particularly care for French cuisine or such foreign wonders as Honeycomb Tripe with Tomato Sauce or Breaded Pigs Ears. De Pomiane wouldn't judge you, for as he says, "If you're not convinced, do as you like. After all, that's the best way to enjoy what you're eating."

Lately

Happy Monday, everyone! I know the weekend just ended but I'm already craving a break. I've been on a "doing" kick lately. We've painted tons of outdoor furniture: six chairs, two tables, and some other stuff.  The finished product is an outdoor eating area that is totally kid friendly. I can't wait to share the finished product sometime soon!

I've also been refurbishing a dresser. This is my first attempt to redo a piece of wooden furniture. I'll be honest - I put it off because it intimidated me, but it really hasn't been awful so far. My forearms and triceps are burning from using a hand sander, but the dresser is shaping up nicely. As is my wimpy upper body. Or so I tell myself.

As bigger projects are accomplished, the smaller stuff has been falling by the wayside. My room is a mess and dinners lately have been simple. Very simple. And I'm sure that everyone will heave a sigh of relief when they see me finally putting the paint away. But hey, isn't this what the long days of summer are for?

After Mass. All motion. Motion and joy.

Sorting linens before summer guests arrive. And now they've come and gone. 

Sticky. Sweaty. Summertime.

Driveway time. I read and the kids scooter. Scooter on, little ones.

Anyone else addicted to spray paint?  Once I start, I can't stop...

Under Construction

Not the blog, but other stuff. The last two weeks have been a perfect storm, creating the just right conditions to  ignore the blog, and actually the whole of the internet. Gorgeous weather, visiting loved ones, the itch to redo and reorganize. 

This dresser, finally getting some attention.

The upside? Lots of good times, inspiration, and projects in the works.  The downside? No blogging, and I sure do miss it! So, I'll see you next week ;)

Top Tips for the Postpartum Lady

Happy Friday, everyone! Today I am guest posting over at Stethoscopes, Style, & Grace. The topic?Tops that are postpartum friendly. I'll give you a little taste of what I'm talking about:  

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The Pin Tuck: A pin tuck is a very narrow narrow tuck, or pleat, used as ornament in a garment. When used below the neckline of a top, the result is a slight gathering of fabric that flows into a looser fit through the middle to the bottom hem. This can be flattering because you aren't swallowed up in the garment thanks to the tucks, but it is more generous through the midsection.

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The Slouchy Sweater: This is the sweater that has a slouchier, looser cut. Some versions are rather cropped, others are longer and may be called tunic sweaters. A bit of slouch can hide a multitude of lumps.

For four more flattering styles, head on over to Stethoscopes, Style, & Grace!

A Reading List

I was going to call this "A Summer Reading List," but then I realized that this will take me into fall and winter, most likely. So let's be real. I'm putting this list out there mainly for myself, because I always jot titles onto random scraps of paper, and then... Lose them.

Currently:
The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers (Meg Meeker)  (I'm almost finished with this one. It's a really easy read and refreshment for the weary mother.)
Basil Moreau Essential Writings
On the Road (Jack Kerouac, book club)

In Queue:
Bossy Pants (Tina Fey)
Dad Is Fat (Jim Gaffigan)
Man Repeller: Seeking Love. Finding Overalls. (Leandra Medine)

A Good Man is Hard to Find (Flannery O'Connor, book club)
Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger, book club)
Following Polly (Karen Bergreen)
Rules of Civility (Amor Towles)

The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to be Beautiful (Myquillyn Smith)
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are (Ann Voskamp)
The Tipping Point (Malcolm Gladwell)
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise)
French Cooking In Ten Minutes: Adapting to the Rhythm of Modern Life (Edouard de Pomiane)

Any title by Elizabeth Goudge

To Reread:
The Intellectual Life (A.G. Sertillanges)

What's on your reading list?

Summer Rituals

Summer means fresh food: basil and mint, tomatoes, cucumbers, salads. Summer means slowing down to beat the heat. Lazy afternoons beneath the shade tree, reading, watching the kids run around. Relaxing with guests. Grilling. Freezie Pops and cool drinks.

After a brutal winter summer has finally come, and my brood and I are trying to make the most of it, and I bet you are, too. And as idyllic as it all sounds, at times it's hard for me to just calm down and be. To be present to my kids (that's starting to be a theme, isn't it?). To not feel guilt if I'm not busy, busy. To be content to hold a baby that won't go to sleep or to choose a trip to the playground over completing a blog post.

How to solve this inner angst... I don't know, I just keep reminding myself that my biggest responsibility right now is to these littles. And alcohol. Just kidding. Sort of. What I mean is that alcohol is part of it, one small part of creating and living summer rituals. Of responding to the changes in weather and environment, interacting with them and with each other in meaningful ways. 

You may have caught the post two Fridays ago about summer cocktails. Since then I have been playing around with various ingredients, and I have come up with a formula that can be used with whatever you have on hand. It's a little less boozy but just as fresh and even more refreshing for the days that are turning hot, hot, hot.

I hope you like it!

The Perfect Summer Cocktail

Ingredients:

Gin or Vodka

Basil or Mint

Lemon or Lime

Fruit: Strawberries, Blueberries, Peaches, you name it

Simple Syrup (equal parts sugar and water, boiled together to dissolve)

Club Soda 

Ice

The Formula: 2 ounces alcohol + 1 ounce simple syrup + juice of lemon or lime + five leaves basil or mint + club soda

Muddle (i.e. crush using a muddler or the back of a spoon) the herb leaves in the lemon/lime juice. Pour into a shaker. Add alcohol, simple syrup, and ice. Shake. Strain into a Tom Collins glass (or a martini glass). Mash some really ripe fruit and add. Fill glass with cold club soda. Now take it outside, and enjoy!